B.C. MLA Katrina Chen reveals history with gender-based violence, asks to be kept out of new cabinet
A B.C. MLA is who co-chaired Premier David Eby’s election campaign says she does not want to be a part of his new cabinet
Katrina Chen, who represents the Burnaby-Lougheed riding and acts as the minister of state for child care, requested Tuesday evening that Eby not consider her for his next ministry.
In a statement released on Dec. 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Chen explained she needs to step away from work to heal from trauma.
“As a survivor of gender-based violence more than once in my life, including as a child, I have long-term trauma that has yet to be fully unpacked,” wrote Chen, who assumed office in July 2017.
“This long-standing trauma has continued to impact my life, even as I dedicated my time to my work in cabinet to deliver progress on child care for B.C. families.”
In her resignation, Chen highlights parts of her political journey she’s proud of.
“As an immigrant, I have represented our community in the legislature,” said Chen, who was born and raised in Taiwan. She also commended the work she’s done with colleagues “to stand up the first social program in a generation.”
Before she was first elected as an MLA, Chen served as a trustee on the Burnaby Board of Education and spend a decade working in both provincial and federal constituency offices.
Some British Columbians, including an autism advocacy group, had suspected Chen would have been moved to the Ministry of Children and Family Development, a role currently held by Mitzi Dean.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.